Challenges of governance in two cross-border city regions: ‘CENTROPE’ and the ‘EuRegio Salzburg – Berchtesgadener Land – Traunstein’

Cross-border city regions face significant governance challenges, particularly when politically constructed and lacking clear spatial boundaries. A comparative analysis of CENTROPE (Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic) and EuRegio Salzburg – Berchtesgadener Land – Traunstein (Austria, Bavaria, Upper Austria) reveals distinct governance structures and persistent obstacles in establishing effective city regional governance. Both regions rely on thematically oriented cooperation among diverse actors but struggle with social and political conflicts that shape their development. The study highlights the need to conceptualize city regions as dynamic, socially produced spaces rather than static entities, emphasizing the role of actor interests in governance challenges.

Hamedinger, A. (2011). Challenges of governance in two cross-border city regions: ‘CENTROPE’ and the ‘EuRegio Salzburg – Berchtesgadener Land – Traunstein’. Urban Research & Practice, 4(2), 153–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/17535069.2011.579771